Portable crimping apparatus



Aug. 24, 1954 c, A. BADEAU 2,687,149

PORTABLE CRIMPING APPARATUS Filed March e, 1952 INVENTOR CARROLL A.BADEQU WWQM ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 24, 1954 PORTABLE CRIMPIN G APPARATUSCarroll A. Badeau,

The Thomas &

Westfield, N. J., assignor to Betts Co., Elizabeth, N. J., a

corporation of New Jersey Application March s, 1952, serial No. 275,630Claims. lOl. 1405-113) The invention relates to a portable crimpingapparatus of the type employed to deform tubular connectors into acrimping engagement with the ends of cables to connect them electricallyand mechanically. In the art of so connecting cable ends together it isa known practice to insert the ends `of the cables into a tubular,malleable metallic connector and, by means of suitable dies operating ina hydraulically actuated tool usually connected in the shop to a sourceof hydraulic power, to deform opposite ends of the connector onto thestripped-back cable ends. Such tools are quite heavy to handle and intheir larger sizes are usually too heavy for manual lifting vby a singleoperator; In the patent to Clapp, No. 2,568,054, September 18, 1951, onesuch large size crimping tool is shown suspended from an overheadsupport and lifted into place by a hoisting device. It so happens thatin actual practice it is often required that heavy cables as they lie onthe ground are required to be connected and it is quite inconvenient andexpensive to bring heavy, longlength cables into a shop equipped withthe necessary crimping equipment and with the necessary hydraulic powerto operate such equipment. f

An object of the invention is to provide a com,- pact form of crimpingapparatus which` will be self-contained in that it will include both ahydraulic form of crimping apparatus as well as a hand-operated sourceof hydraulic power for operating the same and which assembly can betransported as a compact unit from place to place in the eld whereneeded simply by the opelrator pulling it along the ground as he would as ed.

It is appreciated that such an apparatus must sometimes be transportedby truck or train from place to place as needed andthat it is quiteliable to be damaged during any such transportation, especially as itcontains a handle and other projecting parts liable to be broken off byaccidental contact with adjacent articles or structures. Accordingly,the present disclosure features a portable sled-like frame, light inweight and on which an attachment comprising a crimping tool, a pump foractuating it and associatedparts is demountably carried and in which theattachment can be moved at will from a low, underslung, protectedposition housed within the outlines of the frame, into an elevatedoperative position with its operative parts disposed conveniently abovethe frame and accessible so as to be worked by the operator withoutbending.

It is required of such apparatus that when in use it must have arelatively broad base to avoid toppling over, and this indicates anecessity for an extensive area of ground-engaging support, but therequirement that it be capable of being moved about by one man meansthat due consideration must be given to the necessity of minimizing theweight factor of any such support, and the minimizing of groundresistance to being moved. Accordingly, the disclosure features atool-supporting frame of open skeleton form, internally braced and ingeneral designed to give the requisite extent cf wide-spreading basewhile minimizing in weight.

Another object of the invention is to provide a supporting frame for thetool mechanism which makes up the crimping tool and pump and to providereadily separable fastening means fashioned to permit the easyseparation of the component parts of the mechanism from each other andfrom the frame to facilitate repairs and replacement of the parts evenwhile in the field.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be in partobvious from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and in part willbe more fully set forth in the following particular description of oneform of portable crimping apparatus, and the invention also consists incertain new and novel features of construction and combination of partshereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a portable crimping apparatusdisclosing a preferred embodiment of the invention and with themechanical part of the apparatus shown in full lines inits uprightoperative position and shown in ghost outline in its inoperative housedposition protected by the carrier frame;

Fig. 2 is a view in right end elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1with the mechanism folded closed in its inoperative protected positionand with the pump handle removed; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to 'that shown :in Fig. 2 with the mechanism inits elevated operative position for coupling a pair of cables lying forthe most part on the ground, and with the ends intended to be connectedelevated slightly off the ground.

There is disclosed a low, open-work skeleton form of internally bracedsupporting frame ill which includes a pair of side pieces il and I2 withtheir upper parts inclined towards each other and with the side piecesconnected by a number of transverse ties i3 ci which four are shown withtheir ends welded to the side pieces. The frame as so far described isformed ci hollow steel pipes and is otherwise designed to obtain thegreatest possible strength with the use the least possible amount ofmaterial, in order to provide light weight to the device as a whole. Theside pieces are of quadrilateral form as viewed in Fig. 1, and theirlower struts it form parallel rounded runners and the upper struts itform parallel handles by means of which the sled-like frame may bepulled aboutV in. the held. One of the ties i6 at the bottom or theframe is arched and has its ends welded tothe runners M at a point abouttwo-thirds of the length from the front uprights li of the side pieces.An upstanding brace It is formed. ci two flat steel plates I9 and 20with their upper ends welded to the upper struts 5 and with their lowerends welded to the arched tie' I6 adjacent its center to form a V-shapedspace therebetween. The plates i@ and 2t form the brace as an internalframe reinforcement of V-orin.

A rugged cylindrical pivot pin 2| has its ends .iitted in the platesl-ZL extendsv horizontally and transversely of the frame, and bridgesthe `upper portion of the open space between the plates forming thebrace I8. A long, mechanismsupporting carriage 22 is rockably supportedon the pivot pin 2| for movement in the longitudinal medial planes ofthe frame and thus between the wide-spreading side pieces Il and l2. Thecarriage is formed primarilyor a pair of long steel L-bars 23,` 24,extendingr lengthwise of the frame in parallel and slightly spaced-apartrelation as shown in Fig. 2v and through the outstanding rlanges ofwhich bars the pin 2l looselyT extends.

For the purpose of locking the carriage in its upright position, theplates l-Z are provided about mid-length with transversely aligned boltholes 215, ,26, and the L-bars forming the carriage are provided withbolts holes (not shown) designed when the carriage is in its upstandingposition to be in alignment with the holes 25, 2S. A replaceable lockingpin 2l is passed through these iour bolt holes for securing the carriageand the mechanism` carried thereby in their upstanding position as shownin Figs. 1 and 3.

Similarly, for the purpose of locking the carriage L in its horizontalposition, a pair of aligned tubes, one of which is shown at 28 in Fig.l, is secured in transverse alignment to the under side of the upperstruts. i5 for receiving a locking pin Zit passed through an opening in:the apparatus, such as the opening` in the upper handle (see Fig. l) forsecuring the carriage and the mechanism carried thereby in the housedposition shown in ghost outlines in Fig. 1.

The carriage is fashioned to have demountably secured thereto a crimpingmechanism comprising a crimping tool 3|, a pump 32 for actuating thetool and a exible coupling 33 therebetween. The coupling contains aone-way self-1 closing valve (not shown) for holding pressure whenneeded in the crimping tool. The coupling is provided at opposite endswith threaded nipn ples for engaging at one end with the tool and at theother end with the pump, and the parts are otherwise designed tofacilitate a ready separation of parts of the mechanism when it isdesired to demount the parts for replacement and repalrs.

The crimping tool 3l includes a body portion 3d formed of two partstelescopically secured together. The two parts form a hydraulic cylinder35 forming the lower part, and an open-top yoke 35 forming the upperpart as viewed in Fig. 1. A ram plunger is slidably mounted in thecylinder and is provided on its upper end with a lower die 3l workingbetween upstanding arms 38 and t@ of the yoke. These arms are recessedin the upper portions of their inner laces to form a pair of opposingdove-tail grooves lli) in and between which is slidably fitted a.relatively fixed upper die Ilil. The yokes are provided on oppositesideswith a pair of suspension eyes 62 and therebelow the body S13 isprovided with a pair of large ear-like handles 43.

The pump 32 includes a long pump cylinder 44, provided .at the upper endwith pump` piston operating air pressure generating elements 45including a laterally projecting reciprocable handle socket it fashionedto receive a long leverage replaceable handle 47.

The assembly of crimping tool plus pump is designed to bemounted cn whatmay be regarded ,as the. under side of the carriage as viewed in Fig. 2,and for this purpose a U-bolt it is looped under the plunger cylinderand tightened in place by nuts Mi bearing on reduced ends of the twoL-bars 23 and 2li.. One or more straps, of which one is shown at bd, arelooped under the pump cylinder and are demountably secured to thecarriage. A pair ci saddles 5i downwardly facing in Fig. 2 are carriedby the under side of the L- bars and provide cooperatively a seat forreceiving the pump cylinder as shown in Fig. 2, and for steadying it inposition while the pump handle is being operated.

It is a feature of this disclosure that the device is designed to below, that is, as close to, the ground as possible. The parts formingthey device illustrated are proportioned to bring the crimping tool whenin upright position to about bench level, as this is easily accessibleto the operator and does not necessitate a lifting of the cable ends sofar .as might put a strain on the cables. The air pump is located so asto bring its i handle about knee height of the average workman, as thisposition has been found most eifective in obtaining the greatestpossible mechanical advantage in operating the pump manually. Thecarriage is' dimensioned as shown inv Fig. 3 sc that its lower endsnugly ts between the plates i9, 2c to assist in resisting transversemovement of the carriage and the mechanism carried thereby, and thisfitting of the lower end of the carriage within the rugged brace I8 hasthe. advantage of minimizing strains on the pivot pin 2i and on thelocking pin 2l. 'The mechanism is so located on the carriage relative toits pivot pin 2l that, when in the upright position shown in Figs. 1 and3, the crimping tool forms the upper end of the device and locates thecrimping tool in the free space above the frame and exposes the yokewhen free of the upper die for insertion therein of the connector C andfor the locating of the cable ends into the connector.

The parts of the mechanism are located so as to bring the pump handle 47in the medial plane of the frame and thus in position to be operated inthe vacant space above the side pieces l'l and I2 and free of anyobstruction to the reciproca- Y tory actuation of the pump handle.

In operation and assuming it is desired to connect the two cables A andB in the field, the device, with the carriage and the operativemechanism assembly carried thereby in the ghost line position shown inFig. 1, is moved bodily as by replaced by slidingit in the grooves andthe operator works `the pump handle for a few strokes, just suficient toclamp the connector so as to be held gently between the dies without inany way deforming the connector.

` "The stripped-back end of one of the cables,

either one, is` inserted into the end of the .connector so located andmomentarily held between the dies by the operator who then vigorouslyactuates the pump to cause the lower die .to rise from its initialclamping position'to a position to close the dies ,and thus to deformthe connector into a crimping engagement with the conductor end therein.Pressure onthe lower die plunger is then released; the coupling sleeveshifted axially to locate its other or empty end between the dies, andthe connector sleeve clamped by the initial advance of the lower die.The strippedback end of the other cable is inserted in the emptyconnector end, with the first-mentioned cable trailing from the oppositeend of the connector. The pump is again forcefully actuated as before todeform the other end of the connector into a crimping engagement withthe second cable. Releasing pressure on the lower die and then removingthe upper die from the yoke permits the joined cables with the crimpedconnector to be lifted clear of the entire device illustrated and thecables laid on the ground, for the most part extending in their originalpositions.

As the connector and the cable ends extend transversely of the length ofthe frame any tendency of the cable to rock the frame laterally isminimized and as a rule the frame rests squarely on the ground duringthe two crimping operations.

It is noted that, due to the low height of the device as shown in Fig.3, it is necessary to elevate the cable ends only a slight distance offthe ground and as illustrated they automatically assume the paraboliccurve illustrated and are thus free of sharp lbends which mightotherwise damage the cables.

It is noted that only a small length of the cable end, compared to theusual long length of the cable, need be elevated off the ground and thissaves in labor costs over situations where the entire lengths of thecables are involved.

It is noted that strains on the carriage incidental to the pumpingoperation are transferred to the rugged brace I8 at a point thereonrather low on the frame as shown in Fig. 3 and even ignoring the lockingpin 21 and here again providing a support for the crimping device asclose to the ground as is practical to avoid accidental tipping of theframe even if the pump handle be actuated carelessly.

It is a feature ofthis disclosure that the de vice can be easily andquickly opened in the position most convenient to the cable ends to beconnected and the device is complete per se ready for use without anyloose parts, coupling or uncoupling of hydraulic hoses or the practicingof any assembling operations which, if incorrectly 6. performed, couldeasily apparatus. i l

When a connection is thus made at one place, the locking bolt at 21isremoved, the carriage and associated mechanism is lowered into thehoused position shownin outline in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig.2,1locked in its folded position and ready to be slid along the groundto a position convenient to a new job. In the new position along thecable the operation is `there repeated as above describedi i I claim: li

l. A sled for carrying a replaceable apparatus, including a skeletonframe composed of a pair of side pieces, connecting ties andground-engaging runners, `a rugged carriage support comprising a pair ofupstanding plates secured top and bottom to the frame and tending toprovide an internal bracefor the same, and with the plates spaced apartto provide a carriage-receiving space between the plates, a toolcarriage hingedly connected to thesupport for movement to bring one endinto 'and from a snug-tting in said space, means between the support andcarriage for locking the carriagewhen fit is in upstanding position ttedbetween the plates, and fastening means carried by the carriage fordemountably securing thereto the replaceable apparatus.

2. The combination of a vehicle for moving about on the ground andincluding a supporting frame including an upstanding brace forming aninternal reinforcement for the frame, said brace including a pair ofupstanding plates disposed mainly in transversely spaced-apart relationto form a v-shaped space therebetween, a pivot pin l damage the crimping`carried by the plates, a tool supporting carriage pivotally mounted onthe pivot pin for movement to and from an upstanding position in thevertical medial plane of the frame, the upper portion of the carriagewhen in its upright position projecting into the clear space above theframe and the lower portion located in the V-space and with the lowerend of the carriage fitted between and when under load bearing on theplates, and fastening means between the carriage and brace for securingthe carriage in its upright position.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a portablesupporting frame of hollow skeleton form including a pair of upstandingside pieces and a transversely extending tie connecting the lowerportions of the side pieces, an upstanding brace formed of twospaced-apart plates located between the side pieces with their lowerends secured to the tie and forming an internal reinforcement for theframe, a pivot pin carried by the brace, a carriage pivotally mounted onthe pin to swing in the vertical medial plane of the frame and adaptedto have a machine secured thereto, and said carriage when in an uprightposition having its lower end fitting be tween the two plates of theupstanding brace in position bearing thereon to transfer directly to thebrace and through the tie to the side pieces strains imposed o n thecarriage by reason of the weight of the machine and by reason of forcesdue to the operation of the machine.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a vehicleincluding a skeleton frame providing within its outlines amachine-housing space, said frame provided with a transversely extendingpivot pin located below the plane which contains the uppermost elementsof the frame, a carriage mounted on the pivot pin for movement in thevertical medial plane of the frame, means depending from the carriagewhen in a horizontal position -for securing a machine to the carriage,said securing means being spaced from the pivot pin a distance greaterthan the distance between the pivot pin and said plane, said carriageAand its machine-securing means contained entirely Within the housingspace of the frame when the carriage is in a horizontal position,fastening means for supporting the carriage from the frame when thecarriage is in said horizontal position, and other fastening means forsecuring the carriage in a Vertical position with the part of thecarriage having the machine-securing means located in the space abovethe frame.

5. 1n a device of the class described, the combination of a hollow frameproviding within the outlines of its upper portion a housing space, saidframe provided adjacent its mid-length and within its outlines With atransversely extending pivot pin, a structure mounted on the pivot pinfor movement in the vertical medial plane of the frame to and fromvertical and horizontal positions, said structure including a machinehaving a part thereof in spaced relation to the pivot pin a distancegreater than the vertical distance between the pivot pin and the top ofthe frame thereby to locate said part of the machine in the space abovethe frame when the structure is in its vertical position, and saidstructure having a length less than the length oi References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,449,131Skarstad Mar. 20, 1923 2,341,801 Miller Feb. 15, 1944 2,505,723 ReesApr. 25, 1950 2,533,943 Klein Dec. 12, 1950 2,566,000 Temple Aug. 28,1951 2,568,054 Clapp Sept. 18, 1951 2,599,170 Franks June 3, 1952FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 98,033 Austria Apr. 15, 1924

